The Law and Miss Mary by Dorothy Clark

Author:Dorothy Clark
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin (UK) Limited
Published: 2009-08-20T22:00:00+00:00

Now what did the mayor want? Why had he sent for him this time? What couldn’t wait until morning? Sam climbed the steps to the Stewarts’ porch, knocked on the door and stepped back as it opened.

“Captain Benton, how nice to see you again. It has been awhile.” Levinia stepped out onto the porch, dimpled up at him. “I have been waiting for you. I am afraid Father had to leave suddenly.”

“The mayor is gone?”

“Yes.” She pouted up at him. “Are you not going to greet me, Captain?”

“Yes, of course, Miss Stewart. Forgive my bad manners.” He made her a slight bow.

She smiled up at him. “You are forgiven.” She drifted toward the railing, glanced up at the sky. “What a lovely evening.”

Sam braced himself. He was beginning to recognize Levinia’s smiles. This one meant she was after something. No doubt another compliment. He was beginning to tire of the demand. The woman’s vanity was never sated. He searched around in his head and mustered something appropriate. “The beauty of the evening cannot compare to your loveliness, Miss Stewart.”

“You flatter me, Captain.” Another dimpled smile, followed by a pretty little pout. “But you seem…quiet. Father said you had a little disagreement this morning. Is it troubling you?”

Ah! So that was what she was after. The mayor had set Levinia to bring him to his knees. And arranged this meeting to bring that about, no doubt. Was the man inside waiting to hear if Levinia made him change his mind? “Disagreement?” Sam reached up and adjusted his hat to hide his irritation at being “handled.”

“Why, yes.” A wide-eyed look of innocence. “That is what Father called it. He felt you were…annoyed…with his refusal to spend city funds on an orphanage for those horrible street urchins. Naturally, he is upset by your stance.” She moved back to stand close to him. “He thinks so highly of you, and feels he could help groom you to take his place as mayor when he leaves office.”

Was that a threat? Sam looked down at Levinia, tried to discern what was behind her smile.

“Now truly, Captain—” This time the dimpled smile was accompanied by a slight pressure on his arm from her dainty hand. “Do you not agree the money would be better spent in completing the water works for the comfort of St. Louis’s finer citizens, and building a lovely new courthouse with a beautiful park where…” a demure lowering of her eyes “…a lady and her beau could stroll and enjoy each other’s company?” She lifted a coy gaze to him. “Or perhaps attend outdoor concerts together? And even plays?” A long sigh. “I would so enjoy such evenings.”

She seemed so guileless. Could he be wrong about her intentions? Perhaps her lack of concern for the children was because she heard only her father’s opinion of the situation. “I’m afraid the pleasure of such an evening would be marred for me by the knowledge of the children who would be sitting in jail weary and sore from being forced to work on those public buildings and parks.

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